I don't know what's wrong with me

[LittleFlo]

I only posted on Saturday but I'm in a bit of a state again, for several reasons. Sorry if this is long and I know I sound like such a hypochondriac but it's all very real for me.


I've had a cough/cold symptoms for about two weeks. The cough has almost gone but I'm waking up with congestion and sore throat etc which is making me a bit gaggy. So I'm stressing I will actually gag and v* as when I cough the thick mucus comes up (sorry for TMI) and I feel I am retching almost.


Last night I dreamt I v* as well - which is not helping matters as I take dreams like that as omens. I can't get the picture out of my head.


The most worrying thing I'm experiencing though is soreness, tenderness and heaviness in my lower abdomen for about three days now. Now this could be explained as four weeks ago I had a cystoscopy in my bladder (under local anaesthetic) as I was getting a lot of UTI's. Bladder was fine though. During the procedure they did widen my urethra (it's very small) to help me wee easier and prevent infection. However after the op I had to be catheterised as I went into compete urinary retention (absolute agony). I stayed in a few days then was discharged with the catheter as soon as I was mobile (during my hospital stay they also messed around putting it in and out to see if I could wee, was horrible). They took it out a few days later and I could wee without it (yay!) but it was very painful and the dipstick test showed there was some inflammation and possible infection (what with the catheter and surgery etc etc). So I was put on antibiotics.


Since then I just haven't felt right. I had very bad constipation when I was in hospital (probably due to the spinal epidural I had for the surgery). This has eased but isn't totally better.


I'm not sure if the heavy feeling in my lower abdomen is to do with me not being able to digest the mucus from the cold, or if it's to do with the bladder op/infection there (though a month on you would think I would be okay), or the constipation... Or a mixture of these things.


What bothers me about this heavy feeling is that I am panicking it's gastroenteritis or Noro or something. I don't have d* and the only n*/gagging I am getting is from the mucus congestion which I think is normal. I've had this for three days I'm getting very stressed out. I feel a little lethargic and achey and just not quite right. Eating normally which is a good sign. The heaviness does ease a little when I wee or pass a bowel movement. It's still a bit burn-y when I wee. The heaviness also extends to my back as well. But my urine is a normal colour (I think).


Anyway I will quite rambling. I'm just interested to hear people's thoughts as I'm worrying like mad. Sorry it was so long! Thanks is advance.

[LittleFlo]

Another idea is that the soreness is my muscles aching from coughing...

[Aspie Grrrl]

As a chronic constipation sufferer, it could definitely be that. Probably muscle pain from all the straining when you cough too (or attempt to have a bowel movement?)

Colds and respiratory illnesses suck, but there's no real risk of vomiting. Have you tried a cough suppressant? OTC meds containing DXM work pretty well, but prescription codeine syrup is even better. Great for anxiety as well

Stomach viruses come on quickly and dramatically from my understanding. If that was the problem, you'd definitely know it by now.

[LittleFlo]

I haven't really taken much. The constipation and cough have been intermittent for two weeks. I just feel very very very run down and lethargic. To be fair in the past month I've had surgery, I've had a family member come close to passing away through cancer, started a new job, and moved house. I just have no energy. But when I'm like this I panic - I panic I'm coming down with a stomach-related illness. That's draining in itself.

[staystrongxx]

It doesn't sound like a stomach virus and i don't think you will v*. You've had a stressful month, you're sick with a respiratory illness or a cold, you're constipated, you're on antibiotics( (if you're stilll on them), you have a lot going on!

However, I do think you should go get the stomach and back pain checked out. Seeing as you had surgery a bit ago, I am sure your doctor needs to know about the pain.

I hope you feel better xx

[LittleFlo]

Thanks for your kind words I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. I just don't feel 100%. Like tonight I got in from work feeling hot and achey, with not much of an appetite. It's probably just a combination of the after-affects of surgery, illness, and stress. I just can't seem to relax tonight - I'm thinking about v* non-stop these days x

[claire43]

It certainly sounds like your body has gone through a lot of stress recently. Id definitely see your gp about your lower abdomen pain as it could be another infection. Other than that all I can advise is you rest up as much as possible & give your body a chance to heal itself.

[LittleFlo]

Yeah I'm trying to eat healthily and relax and rest more. It's hard when you have a busy schedule though. I usually get physically unwell when I'm stressed. It's just a vicious circle as being stressed makes me ill and being ill makes me stressed!